Clemency-limit bills die in committees
In the uproar over former Gov. Haley Barbour’s pardons of nearly 200 convicts as he left office, state lawmakers filed numerous bills that would allow voters to change the state Constitution and limit gubernatorial clemency power.
But those measures all died with a Tuesday-night deadline to clear committee, with House and Senate leaders saying they don’t want to alter the Constitution in a “knee-jerk” reaction. They say new Gov.
Phil Bryant’s vow to not grant pardons unless there was a clear miscarriage of justice gives the Legislature time over the next four years to ponder what, if any, changes are needed on pardon powers.
“We must act with caution when considering a limitation on the governor’s authority and a change to the Mississippi Constitution,” Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said.
Magnolia Tribune
